SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian is calling for the mobilization of local government units (LGUs) to achieve zero illiteracy nationwide.

Gatchalian made the call following the release of the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey, which showed that seven out of ten Filipinos aged 10 to 64 are functionally literate.

Functional literacy refers to the ability to read, write, compute, and comprehend.

Among Filipinos aged five to 18, the functional literacy rate was recorded at 69.2%.

Gatchalian emphasized the need for early interventions to boost literacy and numeracy by the end of Grade 3.

“Ang kakayahang magbasa at magbilang ay mga pundasyong kinakailangan ng ating mga mag-aaral, at mahalaga ang pakikilahok ng mga komunidad at lokal na pamahalaan para matugunan ito,” said the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, adding that a hearing is scheduled for the 30th.

The senator also proposed the mobilization of LGUs to address illiteracy through the National Literacy Council Act or Senate Bill No. 473.

Under the proposed measure, local school boards will serve as the de facto local literacy councils in provinces, cities, and municipalities.